Went to See the Big Guy

The girls stood in line, practically SHAKING with anticipation for their turn to sit on Santa's lap.  They danced and sang and jumped up and down and squealed.  (But that's not so unusual, they ALWAYS squeal).  Finally, it was our turn.  We let Isaac go first, so that we could get his first ever picture on Santa's lap before he started to freak out.  It went well, then Annie got a turn.  I should point out here, I was NOT paying for pictures, I was snapping them with my own camera, which apparently in the North Pole is a major dis and we were treated accordingly.  After we got Isaac off of Santa's lap, Santa picked up Annie without so much as looking at her, turned to the camera and smiled, then set her down and repeated it with Ellie.  I think he suddenly realized that both girls were shocked by his behavior (and virtual non-communication), so he finally suddenly turned to them and asked what they wanted for Christmas.  Both girls were silent in response -- whether from stage fright or from stunned from the brusque behavior.  All our planning had gone to waste.  (Earlier that day we'd done a little role playing.  "Ellie," I asked, "What are you going to tell Santa you want for Christmas?"  "GUM!" she shouted gleefully, then took off running.  Then, suddenly stopping, turning back around and running back to me, she quickly added, "Not cimmamum gum.  La no like cimmamum.")  When we were done Ellie was grumpy and Annie was near tears.  I was able to calm the down and then distract them with a very cool play land that I did not even know Valley Fair Mall had.  

I was OK with how it all turned out -- I got some cute pictures of them, and with some explaining of Santa's busy schedule and all the kids waiting in line, the girls were able to forgive the rush and just be happy they got to see the big guy at all.
And I got some chocolate mint candy at Mrs. Cavanaugh's chocolates, so it was a Merry Christmas indeed.

Other tidbits from our day:

Isaac trying to make out with everyone while waiting in line to see Santa was pretty hilarious.  The kid has gotten into kisses.  He gives cute sweet ones to my Mom, and then proceeds to chew on my bottom lip or give me hickies on my chin.  All while grabbing both of my cheeks with his tiny sharp nails. 

Greg asked Ellie if he could take her blankie to work to keep him happy.  She said no, rolled her eyes and pointed to the writing on the blanket, "Dad . . . E-L-L-I-E.  Not D-A . . . " then trailed off when she realized she couldn't spell the rest of Dad.  She took the blanket away for safe keeping though, just so he didn't sneak off with it.

Ellie happily saw my red cup and exclaimed, "Mom!  Match!" holding out her own orange cup triumphantly.  Annie sighed and said, "Ellie, Mom's is red and yours is orange.  They don't match.  But I'll let you go ahead and say it anyway."  Thanks for your permission there, Annie.